List of Jupiter's Moons

Jupiter has the most moons of any planet in the Solar System. 79 moons have so far been discovered in orbit of the giant planet.
These are listed in the table below in order of distance from closest to furthest from Jupiter. Because there are so many,
they are put into categories with other similar moons. The colours in the table of moons correspond with the groups in the guide
below.

Amalthea Group

Jupiter's four inner moons. Their orbits are very circular and not very inclined. They orbit in the same direction as
Jupiter spins. These orbit closely to Jupiter's rings and are likely to be made up from and also make up the material in the rings.

Galilean Group

Jupiter's four largest moons, discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. These are the only four spherical moons of Jupiter.
Two of these moons (Ganymede and Callisto) are the two largest moons in the Solar System.

Not Grouped

These moons don't share any orbital similarities to any other moons of Jupiter so are not placed into any of the groups.

Himalia Group

Five moons with a prograde orbit, with an inclination of about 27.5 degrees. Himalia is likely to be a captured asteroid which
was involved in collisions. These collisions caused fragments to break off the asteroid, forming the other smaller moons in the group.

Ananke Group

Moons with retrograde orbits between 18 million kilometres to 22 million kilometres from Jupiter, inclined at 145.7 to 154.8 degrees.
Ananke is believed to be an asteroid captured by Jupiter and involved in a collision. The fragments that broke off from it formed the
other moons in the group.

Carme Group

Retrograde moons orbiting at a distance of 23 to 24 million kilometres from Jupiter, inclined at 166 degrees. These moons
are believed to have been created by an impact with the moon Carme. Most of Carme still exists but the fragments created the other moons.

Pasiphaë Group

Retrograde moons orbiting at a distance of 23 to 24 million kilometres from Jupiter, inclined at 144.5 to 158.3 degrees.
They are believed to have formed from an asteroid about 60 km. Most of this asteroid is still the moon Pasiphae.

Name of moon

Average Distance from Jupiter

Length of time to complete an Orbit

Diameter

Year of Discovery and Discoverer

Origin of moon's name

Metis

128,100 km (79,598 miles)

7 hrs, 4 mins, 29 secs

44 km (27 miles)

4th March 1979, Stephen Synnott from Voyager 1 images

In mythology, Metis was a Titaness and the first wife of Zeus (Zeus is the Roman equivalent of Jupiter). Metis received its name in 1983.

Daughter of Zeus (Jupiter) and Ananke. Adrastea is the goddess of necessity. Its spelling in mythology is actually Adrasteia. Adrastea received its name in 1983. Previous to that, another of Jupiter's moons, Ananke, was sometimes known as Adrastea until it received its name.

Amalthea

181,400 km (112,716 miles)

11 hrs, 57 mins, 23 secs

168 km (104 miles)

9th September 1892, Edward Emerson Barnard

Foster-mother of Zeus, sometimes represented as a goat. The first moon of Jupiter to be discovered after the Galilean satellites almost 300 years earlier and the last to be found by traditional observation through a telescope. It officially received its name in 1975.

Thebe

221,900 km (137,883 miles)

16 hrs, 11 mins, 17 secs

98 km (61 miles)

5th March 1979, Stephen Synnott from Voyager 1 images (the moon was later found on images dating from 27th February 1979)

Nypmh, daughter of Asopus and Metope. Wife of Zethus and lover of Zeus (Jupiter). Zeus and Iodame also had a daughter called Thebe. Thebe was named in 1983.

Priestess of Hera, lover of Zeus. Io was first named in 1614 by Simon Marius, but was mostly referred to as Jupiter I, or "the first satellite of Jupiter" until Io was once again used in the mid-20th Century.

A noblewoman of Phoenicia, courted by Zeus. She became Queen of Crete (in mythology, not real life!). Europa was initially named by Simon Marius who made his own observations of Jupiter's four largest moons, but the name wasn't commonly used until the mid-20th Century. Instead, it was referred to as Jupiter II.

Trojan prince, son of King Tros. Served as cupbearer to the gods, transported to the heavens by Zeus, who was in the form of an eagle. Ganymede is the only moon of Jupiter named after a male figure. Its name was chosen by Simon Marius but wasn't commonly used until the mid-20th Century. It was instead known as Jupiter III, or "the third satellite of Jupiter."

A nymph, associated with Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Simon Marius, who also claimed to discover Jupiter's moons, chose the name Callisto but this name wasn't commonly used until the mid-20th Century. Up to then, it was known as Jupiter IV (4), or "the fourth satellite of Jupiter."

Themisto

750700 km (466,463 miles)

130 days

9 km (5.6 miles)

30th September 1975, Charles Kowai and Elizabeth Roemer. Discovered again on 21st November 2000, Scott Sheppard, David Jewitt, Yanga Fernández and Eugene Magnier.

Daughter of the River god Inachus. It received its name in 2002. The reason it wasn't named sooner was that after its first observation in 1975, the moon was lost and wasn't found again until 2000!

Leda

11,165,000 km (6,937,609 miles)

240.9 days

18 km (11 miles)

14th September 1974, Charles Kowai from photographs taken from Mount Palomar Observatory between 11th - 13th September 1974)

Lover of Zeus (Jupiter). Zeus came to Leda as a swan (Zeus is kind of like a Transformer!). Its name was suggested by its discoverer, Charles Kowai, and was officially named in 1975.

A nymph from Cyprus. Gave birth to three of Zeus' (Jupiter's) sons. Himalia was officially named in 1975 despite calls to give it a proper name shortly after the discovery of it and Elara a month later. It was the 6th moon to be discovered around Jupiter so was known as Jupiter VI (6), but the traditional naming system was getting confusing. Jupiter V (5) was closer to Jupiter than Jupiter I (1), II (2), III (3) and IV (4). Jupiter VI (6) came after Jupiter IV (4) in its orbit around Jupiter. Between 1955 and 1975, it was sometimes known as Hestia (a Greek goddess)

One of Zeus' lovers, daughter of Oceanus. It was officially named in 1975, before being known as Jupiter X (10, as it was the tenth moon to be discovered around Jupiter). Between 1955 and 1975, it was sometimes called Demeter.

Mother of Tityas (a giant) and daughter of King Orchomenus. She was a lover of Zeus who hid her from his wife deep beneath the Earth. Seems like a nice man! This is where she somehow gave birth to Tityas. It was officially named in 1975 although was previously known as Jupiter VII (7) or Hera (between 1955 and 1975)

Dia/td>

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx.

x

Carpo

16,989,000 km (10,556,475 miles)

456.1 days

3 km (1.86 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Daughter of Zeus and one of the first generation of Horae (three goddesses controlling orderly life). Received its name in March 2005.

S/2003 J3

18,339,885 km (11,395,876 miles)

504 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Not yet named

S/20xx J x

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx.

Not yet named

Euporie

19,302,000 km (11,993,707 miles)

550.7 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Daughter of Zeus and one of the third generation of Horae, a goddess of abundance. (What's abundance? A disco for cakes!). It received its name in August 2003.

S/20xx J x

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx.

Not yet named

S/20xx J x

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

S/2003 J18

20,700,000 km (12,862,384 miles)

606.3 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, Brett Gladman and his team of astronomers

Not yet named

S/20xx J x

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Thelxinoe

21,162,000 km (13,149,457 miles)

628.1 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2004, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard (moon was found in images from 2003)

One of the 4 original muses. Received its name in March 2005.

Euanthe

20,799,000 km (12,923,899 miles)

620.6 days

3 km (1.86 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Euanthe was mother of the graces (goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility). It received its name in August 2003.

Helike

21,263,000 km (13,212,216 miles)

634.8 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

A nymph who nurtured Zeus (Jupiter) as an infant in Crete. Helike was named in March 2005

Orthosie

20,721,000 km (12,875,432 miles)

622.6 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Daughter of Zeus, goddess of prosperity and one of the third generation of Horae. It received its name in August 2003.

S/20xx J x

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

S/20xx J x

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

S/20xx J x

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Iocaste

21,269,000 km (13,215,944 miles)

631.5 days

5 km (3.1 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Named after Jocaste, the mother and wife of Oedipus (Oedipus was unaware that Jocaste was his mother as he was abandoned as a child and didn't know who she when they married). The moon received its name in October 2002.

S/20xx J x

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Praxidike

21,147,000 km (13,140,137 miles)

625.3 days

7 km (4.35 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Greek goddess of punishment. It received its name in August 2003.

Harpalyke

21,105,000 km (13,114,039 miles)

623.3 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Daughter of Klymenos, who also married her. She gave birth to a son called Presbon. It received its name in August 2003.

Mneme

21,069,000 km (13,091,670 miles)

620 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

One of 9 muses, who inspire the creation process through music and dance. The Moon Mneme received its name in March 2005. Just in case you're wondering, it's pronounced "nee-mee".

Hermippe

21,131,000 km (13,130,195 miles)

633.9 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Lover of Zeus (Jupiter), mother of Orchomenus. It received its name in August 2003

Thyone

20,940,000 km (13,011,513 miles)

627.3 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Mother of Dionysus. Zeus fell in love with Thyone (who was called Semele at the time). If mortals saw Zeus as a god, they perished. Zeus was usually in the form of an eagle when with Semele, but Semele repeatedly asked Zeus to prove himself as a god. So he did, and she went to Hades, but was later rescued by Dionysus. She became goddess of Mount Olympus, now with the name Thyone! The moon Thyone received its name in August 2003.

Lover of Zeus, mother of Adrastea. This moon was officially named in 1975, although was referred to as Jupiter XII up to then. It was also sometimes known as Adrastea, now the name of the second closest moon of Jupiter.

Herse

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Aitne

22,000,000 km (13,670,166 miles)

690.3 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, Brett Gladman and his team of astronomers

Not yet named

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Kale

23,217,000 km (14,426,375 miles)

729.5 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

One of the charites, or graces. Named in August 2003.

Taygete

23,360,000 km (14,515,231 miles)

732.2 days

5 km (3.1 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

One of the Pleiades (the 7 daughters of Atlas the Titan and Pleione). Lover of Zeus and mother of Lacedaemon.

S/2003 J19

22,800,000 km (14,167,263 miles)

701.3 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, Brett Gladman and his team of astronomers

Not yet named

Chaldene

23,179,000 km (14,402,762 miles)

723.8 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Mother of Solymus. Another of Zeus' lovers. It was named in October 2002.

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Erinome

23,279,000 km (14,464,900 miles)

728.3 days

3 km (1.86 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Named after the Roman mythological character, Erinome, a lover of Jupiter. Named in October 2002.

Aoede

23,981,000 km (14,901,102 miles)

761.5 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

One of the muses, a daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Named in March 2005.

Kallichore

24,043,000 km (14,939,627 miles)

764.7 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

A Nysiad, one of the nymphs that nursed Dionysus. Named in March 2005.

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Kalyke

23,583,000 km (14,653,797 miles)

743 days

5 km (3.1 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Kalyke (also spelt Calyce in mythology) was the mother of Endymion. Either Zeus or Kalyke's husband Aethlius was the father. In other sources, she is the mother of Aethlius, not his wife, and didn't give birth to Endymion. The moon received its name in October 2002.

Carme

23,404,000 km (14,542,571 miles)

702.3 days

46 km (29 miles)

30th July 1938, Seth Barnes Nicholson at Mount Wilson Observatory

Lover of Zeus (aren't they all?) and mother of Britomartis, a goddess of Crete. It received its name in 1975, known as Jupiter XI beforehand, or sometimes Pan between 1955 to 1975. Pan is now the name of a moon of Saturn.

Callirrhoe

24,102,000 km (14,976,288 miles)

758.8 days

7 km (4.35 miles)

6th October 1999, Spacewatch (a project studying asteroids and comets). Discovered to be a moon of Jupiter on 18th July 2000 by TIm Spahr.

Daughter of river god Achelus. A lover - amongst many - of Zeus (Jupiter). Named in October 2002.

Eurydome

22,865,000 km (14,207,652 miles)

717.3 days

3 km (1.86 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Eurydome is often known as the mother of the graces in Greek mythology. Their father is Zeus (Jupiter). The moon was named in August 2003.

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Pasithee

23,096,000 km (14,351,189 miles)

719.5 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

One of the charites, or graces, goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, humans creativity and fertility. Daughter of Zeus and Eurydome. The moon received its name in August 2003.

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Kore

24,543,000 km (15,250,313 miles)

779.2 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Kore is another name for the greek goddess Persephone. Daughter of Demeter and Zeus. Named in March 2005.

Cyllene

24,349,000 km (15,129,767 miles)

737.8 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

A water nymph (a naiad), or mountain nymph (an oread). Associated with Mount Kyllini in Greece. A daughter of Zeus (Jupiter). The moon received its name in March 2005.

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Eukelade

23,661,000 km (14,702,264 miles)

746.4 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

One of the muses, a daughter of Zeus (Jupiter). Received its name In March 2005.

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Pasiphae

23,624,000 km (14,679,273 miles)

708 days

58 km (36 miles)

28th February 1908, Philibert Jacques Melotte from plates taken at the Royal Greenwich Observatory. It was later spotted on a plate dated from 27th January 1908 but not designated as a moon until 10th April.

Wife of Minos and mother of the Minotaur. It received its name in 1975, but beforehand was sometimes known as Jupiter VIII (8) or Poseidon (from 1955).

Hegemone

23,947,000 km (14,879,975 miles)

739.6 days

3 km (1.86 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

One of the graces, a daughter of Zeus (Jupiter). Named in March 2005.

Arche

22,931,000 km (14,248,663 miles)

723.9 days

3 km (1.86 miles)

2002, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

One of the four original muses. It received its name in 2005.

Isonoe

23,217,000 km (14,426,375 miles)

725.5 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

A lover of Zeus and one of the Danaides (one of the 50 daughters of Danaus and Pieria). The moons received its name in October 2002.

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

S/20xx Jx

km ( miles)

days

km ( miles)

20xx

Not yet named

Sinope

23,939,000 km (14,875,005 miles)

724.5 days

38 km (24 miles)

21st July 1914, Seth Barnes Nicholson at Lick Observatory, California

A daughter of Asopus, abducted by Zeus who abducted her and took her to the site that later became known as the city of Sinope on the Black Sea. Named in 1975, before which being known as Jupiter IX and sometimes, from 1955, Hades.

Sponde

23,487,000 km (14,594,145 miles)

748.3 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Sponde is one of the Horae, or Hours, goddesses of the different times of the day. Sponde was goddess of the seventh hour of the day a time when a libation, or pouring of a drink as an offering to the gods, was made after lunch. The Horae are all daughters of Zeus and Themis. The moon received its name in August 2003.

Autonoe

23,039,000 km (14,315,771 miles)

762.7 days

4 km (2.48 miles)

2001, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Mother of the charites, a conquest of Zeus (Jupiter). Received its name in August 2003.

Megaclite

23,806,000 km (14,792,362 miles)

752.8 days

6 km (3.73 miles)

2000, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard

Lover of Zeus and mother of Thebe and Locrus. Named in October 2002.

S/2003 J2

28,570,410 km (17,752,829 miles)

982.5 days

2 km (1.24 miles)

2003, astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard and David Jewitt